photoreceptive proteins

Photoreceptive proteins are specialized molecules in organisms that detect and respond to light. They absorb specific wavelengths of light and trigger biological processes, such as vision, circadian rhythms, or pigment production. These proteins, like opsins in our eyes or rhodopsin in certain bacteria, convert light signals into electrical or chemical signals that the body can interpret. They are essential for sensing our environment, helping organisms navigation, survival, and daily regulation based on light patterns.